BUENA VISTA, Va. — The Southern Virginia University Wrestling team defeated Patrick & Henry Community College Wednesday night in the first home match of the year.

Head coach Brigg Hoopes on the victory over Patrick & Henry; "Everyone went out there and gave everything they had and it payed off for them. That's something we have been talking about as a team, if you give everything you have it will pay off in the end and today it payed off and it shows in the matches and the scores. I am super proud of guys that went out there and gave everything."

Jaden Nelson got the action started in the 125 pounds weight class. After a back and forth first period, Nelson was able to get a two point takedown after fighting off a shot from Hunter Fulp in the final seconds of the period. Nelson was able to ride out two minutes full time in the second period. In the third Nelson was able to get two points off a reversal pushing his lead to 4-0 early. A beautiful arm bar led to a pin for Nelson late into the third period. Giving Southern Virginia an early 6-0 advantage in team points.

At the 133 pound class Jack Nelson gave up an early two points to Trey Kratko. Nelson was able to fight from the bottom and scored a two point reversal in the final second of the first period, ending the period 2-2. Kratko started the period on the bottom but Nelson used some outstanding body control to keep Kratko at bay. Kratko proved to be dominant on top after three back points and one point for riding, time finished with the score at 6-2, giving the Patriots their first team points of the match.

Southern Virginia was able to score on two forfeits pushing their led to 18-3.

Weston Hirschi got the action started again for the Knights in the 157 class. Hirschi was able to push his opponent JJ Manna back towards the far corner of the mat, and used that to his advantage as he scored a takedown for two points. Manna made quick work from the bottom after a reversal tied the score, directly after Manna was called for unnecessary roughness making the match score 3-2, Hirschi was able to get one point for an escape pushing his lead to 4-2. Hirschi continued to show his dominance in the second period after another takedown furthered his lead 6-2. Hirschi could not be denied on the bottom and was able to get a one point escape, a two point takedown led to a Hirschi pin early in the third period. The pin gave the Knights a 24-3 advantage.

At 165, Southern Virginia was led by senior Morgan Peterson. After a scoreless first period, Peterson got the scoring started after an early escape point gave him a 1-0 advantage. Kurt Jackson was able to get his first two points off a takedown, but Peterson again was able to escape, tying the match 2-2 at the end of the second. Jackson got an early escape but Peterson again was able to counter for a two point takedown. Jackson continued to fight as another escape tied the score 4-4. The tenacity of both wrestlers pushed the match into sudden death overtime where both wrestlers once again battled during the two minute period. In second overtime Jackson started on the bottom and was able to get an early
escape for the 5-4 lead. Peterson was able to match Jackson for a one point escape tying the match again 5-5. A fourth overtime period saw the wrestlers start neutral again, where once again no points were scored. Peterson started on the bottom for the fifth overtime period and was able to score a two point reversal, a stall point against Peterson made the score 7-6 at the end of the period. Jackson was able to score an easy escape point tying the match again at 7-7. Peterson scored on a gorgeous single leg
winning the match 9-7. Peterson's win gave Southern Virginia a 24-3 lead over Patrick & Henry.

Tyson Hoopes made quick work of his opponent at 174 after an early takedown immediately led to a pin 28 seconds into the match giving the Knights the 30-3 lead.

Scott Chambers was able to score a quick two point takedown and a two point near fall to push his lead to 4-0. Josh Wright was to get escape for a point cutting the lead 4-1. Chambers scored an easy two points on his second near fall of the night pushing his lead 6-1. Chambers hit a magnificent switch for another two points and ran an arm bar for the pin halfway through the third period. The pin for the Southern Virginia pushed the team score 36-3.

At 197 Jaden Markus battled Tony Ray. Markus got an early point off a stalling call making the score 1-0. He would then capitalize on a double leg shot which immediately led to a pin for the Knights continuing the led 42-3.

Igor Lakicevic got an early two points for a takedown, then worked a half Nelson for the pin about one minute into the first period, ending the dual meet with a 51-3 win for Southern Virginia.

The Knights travel to Washington, Pennsylvania to compete in the W&J Invitational Saturday, November 12, with competition set to start at 9:45 a.m.

For all the most up-to-date information regarding Southern Virginia University men's wrestling, please visit knightathletics.com and follow @knight_wrestling on Instagram.